MONROE - Some students and parents are finding ways to save money this year in the yearly ritual of back-to-school shopping.
It's a sign that fall is coming. The days get a little shorter, the nights a little cooler, and parents and children buy school supplies.
High school students and their parents began to register for classes Wednesday at Monroe High School.
Students and their parents have learned over the years that there are some shortcuts.
Lori Van Natta laughed and said she had done as much shopping as she planned, but she cut back on her spending this year.
"I'm fortunate that I only have to buy for one," she said. "I can't imagine how much parents with two or three kids have to spend."
The younger kids have more to buy, she added, and they want to make sure everything is new.
Zac Van Natta, who will be a sophomore this year, said he was able to use some school supplies from last year.
"About the only thing I had to get were pencils," he said.
He decided to take a wait-and-see attitude before he bought other supplies.
"If a teacher gives you a lot of worksheets, there no reason to buy a notebook," he said.
Nancy Anderson and her son, Justin Luangaram, 16, also decided to use some school supplies from last year.
The most expensive thing he bought for school was a pair of shoes.
Chelsea Wyss, 17, and her sister, Alexa Wyss, 14, estimated they spent about $50 for school supplies.
They look for sales when they buy things like notebooks and folders. They also used some supplies from last year.
Clothes were their most expensive items as they prepared for a new year.
Bridget Mouchon, family living agent with the Green County UW-Extension office, and Mary Knellwolf, UW-Extension family living educator in Lafayette County, provided some advice to parents as they get ready to buy school supplies.
They suggested parents go through school supplies and clothes from last year and list all of the items already on hand. Then, find out if a new backpack or lunch box is needed, or if clothing from last year still fits. Also, determine which items are absolutely needed. Finally, come up with a realistic total budgeted amount for supplies and clothing for each child in school.
Knellwolf suggested people call their local school district to find out about help with school supplies. Local community organizations often collect supplies and donate them to families with difficult financial circumstances.
There also are ways to save money when it comes to school clothes.
Mouchon recommend people think about garage sales, friends with children a little older and thrift stores when buying clothes.
"Look at the garage sale listings in the local paper to find garage sales with the size of clothes your children wear," Mouchon said. "I've found that this saves significant time and frustration."
They also suggest parents plan for next year.
"If it costs $300 per child for all school-related expenses, such as program fees, clothes, supplies and lunch, divide (the $300) by 12 and save $25 a month per child for the year," Mouchon said.
It's a sign that fall is coming. The days get a little shorter, the nights a little cooler, and parents and children buy school supplies.
High school students and their parents began to register for classes Wednesday at Monroe High School.
Students and their parents have learned over the years that there are some shortcuts.
Lori Van Natta laughed and said she had done as much shopping as she planned, but she cut back on her spending this year.
"I'm fortunate that I only have to buy for one," she said. "I can't imagine how much parents with two or three kids have to spend."
The younger kids have more to buy, she added, and they want to make sure everything is new.
Zac Van Natta, who will be a sophomore this year, said he was able to use some school supplies from last year.
"About the only thing I had to get were pencils," he said.
He decided to take a wait-and-see attitude before he bought other supplies.
"If a teacher gives you a lot of worksheets, there no reason to buy a notebook," he said.
Nancy Anderson and her son, Justin Luangaram, 16, also decided to use some school supplies from last year.
The most expensive thing he bought for school was a pair of shoes.
Chelsea Wyss, 17, and her sister, Alexa Wyss, 14, estimated they spent about $50 for school supplies.
They look for sales when they buy things like notebooks and folders. They also used some supplies from last year.
Clothes were their most expensive items as they prepared for a new year.
Bridget Mouchon, family living agent with the Green County UW-Extension office, and Mary Knellwolf, UW-Extension family living educator in Lafayette County, provided some advice to parents as they get ready to buy school supplies.
They suggested parents go through school supplies and clothes from last year and list all of the items already on hand. Then, find out if a new backpack or lunch box is needed, or if clothing from last year still fits. Also, determine which items are absolutely needed. Finally, come up with a realistic total budgeted amount for supplies and clothing for each child in school.
Knellwolf suggested people call their local school district to find out about help with school supplies. Local community organizations often collect supplies and donate them to families with difficult financial circumstances.
There also are ways to save money when it comes to school clothes.
Mouchon recommend people think about garage sales, friends with children a little older and thrift stores when buying clothes.
"Look at the garage sale listings in the local paper to find garage sales with the size of clothes your children wear," Mouchon said. "I've found that this saves significant time and frustration."
They also suggest parents plan for next year.
"If it costs $300 per child for all school-related expenses, such as program fees, clothes, supplies and lunch, divide (the $300) by 12 and save $25 a month per child for the year," Mouchon said.